Coat
1996 {Empress Josephine collection, autumn-winter 1996–97}
- Medium
- silk (brocade, satin), polyester (fur), linen, metallic thread, cotton, cotton silk (thread, braid)
- Measurements
- 255.0 cm (centre back) 62.5 cm (sleeve, length)
- Place/s of Execution
- France
- Inscription
- label, left seamline, woven (vertically) in white on blue polyester: HAUTE COUTURE / GIVENCHY / MADE IN FRANCE
- Accession Number
- 2023.722
- Department
- International Fashion and Textiles
- Credit Line
- National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Gift of Krystyna Campbell-Pretty AM and Family through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program, 2023 - Gallery location
- Level 3, NGV International
- About this work
-
John Galliano was at the helm of the House of Givenchy for only a year before moving to Dior, but in this time he designed four collections – two ready-to-wear and two couture. His second couture collection was an ode to nineteenthcentury French Empress Josephine, first wife of Napolean Bonaparte, with a runway set that emulated Malmaison, the chateau Napoleon built for his Empress. This coat typifies the opulence of the collection, featuring elaborate passementerie and sumptuous brocade and velvet.